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MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's parliament is to declare support for rights to life and freedom for great apes on Wednesday, apparently the first time any national legislature will have recognized such rights for non-humans.

Parliament is to ask the government to adhere to the Great Ape Project, which would mean recognizing that our closest genetic relatives should be part of a "community of equals" with humans, supporters of the resolution said.

The move in a country better known for bull-fighting would follow a string of social reforms which have converted Spain from one of Europe's most conservative nations into a liberal trailblazer.

Backers of the resolution expect support from the Socialist Party of Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, whose government has legalized gay marriage and reduced the influence of the Catholic Church in education.

"With this, Spain will make itself a world leader in protection of the great apes," said Pedro Pozas, general secretary of the Great Ape Project's Spanish branch.

The resolution, presented by a Green Party parliamentarian, prompted criticism and some ridicule at first.

Spanish media quoted the Catholic Archbishop of Pamplona as saying it was ludicrous to grant apes rights not enjoyed by unborn children, in a reference to Spanish abortion laws.

But a spokesman for Archbishop Fernando Sebastian said he had been taken out of context and now supported the resolution

"We are in favor of defending animals, but people come first," Father Santos Villanueva told Reuters.

Philosophers Peter Singer and Paola Cavalieri founded the Great Ape Project in 1993, arguing apes were so close to humans they deserved rights to life, freedom and not to be tortured.

"When a loved one dies, they grieve for a long time. They can solve complex puzzles that stump most two-year-old humans," said Singer.

The Spanish move could set a precedent for greater legal protection for other animals, including elephants, whales and dolphins, said Paul Waldau, director of the Center for Animals and Public Policy at Tufts University.

"We were born into a society where humans alone are the sole focus, and we begin to expand to the non-human great apes. It isn't easy for us to see how far that expansion will go, but it's very clear we need to expand beyond humans," Waldau said.

There are only a few hundred apes in Spain, mainly chimpanzees. But the resolution would also push the government to help endangered populations in Africa and Asia, said Pozas, speaking to Reuters at a sanctuary outside Madrid sheltering half a dozen chimpanzees rescued from abuse.

So, I can presume that by this resolution that apes will now respect my rights - they'll refrain from throwing poo at me and clothe themselves in public? They won't rip me limb from limb if I get between them and a female?

I've always said that I'd give chimps and other primates the same rights humans have when and if they can reciprocate and understand those rights - so where was I when that happened?

I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world. - Richard Dawkins

So, I can presume that by this resolution that apes will now respect my rights - they'll refrain from throwing poo at me and clothe themselves in public? They won't rip me limb from limb if I get between them and a female?

I've always said that I'd give chimps and other primates the same rights humans have when and if they can reciprocate and understand those rights - so where was I when that happened?

Seconded, what the hell are they thinking? This is like the completely irrational "total animal liberation" that PETA preaches.

"Character is higher than intellect... A great soul will be strong to live, as well as to think."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

So, I can presume that by this resolution that apes will now respect my rights - they'll refrain from throwing poo at me and clothe themselves in public? They won't rip me limb from limb if I get between them and a female?

I've always said that I'd give chimps and other primates the same rights humans have when and if they can reciprocate and understand those rights - so where was I when that happened?

Ditto, Its completely stupid, but some may argue that no rights should be given to the retarded because they might not understand and respect rights, or even the insane, or insane and retarded ('Short bus rampage!' sounds like a fun idea for a videogame for some reason).

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I'll get back to you when I think of something worthwhile to say.

I agree, they might have the right idea by trying to show important links between us and our distant relatives, but you simply can't expect them to be on equal footing. This could lead to all kinds of comical situations. Imagine someone suing an ape at the zoo for assault for throwing poo at a poor unsuspecting zoo patron. In a kind of absurd twist, wouldn't this be a kind of a leading up to for man to be able to legally marry an ape? I mean, if they are granted equal rights, it puts the rational arguments for not allowing such a thing in a precarious position.

Hell I'm for it. Legal protection sounds good. And I think we should all have the right to fling poo. We came from apes, you know we flung poo in the past. C'mon guys, it's fun AND funny!

And frankly I dont give two shits where or in what anyone wants to stick thier dick. that's sorta thier business, as long as it aint in me. Or someone who doesn't/can't give consent. As for how that applies to an ape, I would think that NOT ripping you limb from limb as soon as you tried to penetrate would qualify as consent in that case. If an ape isn't "in the mood" I'm sure they'll let you know quite quickly.

But back to the poo flinging. Am I the only one who just busts a gut laughing whenever I see a clip of someone getting nailed by ape feces? C'mon, it's as classic as the baseball bat to the nuts from americas funniest home videos. It's a staple folks. Laugh it off. Imagine how much more it would have sucked if the thing had chucked a rock instead. Oh man...like I said, I wish we were legally allowed to fling poo. Apes get more rights than me, who woulda thunkit?